First impressions

[krh1956]

I have just got back to the UK after my first trip to the US, and a fantastic tour of the battlefields of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. First of all, I must congratulate you all, and the National Parks Service, on the way you have preserved and interpreted the sites. The walking and driving tours are superb and the museums and vistor centres are first class.
Among the many high points: standing by the Dunker Church and Haggerstown Pike fence at Antietam; walking the railway cutting at Second Manassas; Little Round Top with just the birds for company (many thanks for the advice to get there early!); following the route of Pickett's Charge to the clump of trees; seeing the wall at Fredericksburg. Everywhere we went, everywhere we stayed, we met friendly, polite people who seemed genuinely surprised that Britons should be interested in their history. On our last full day, we went to the Lincoln memorial in Washington, and my wife was moved to tears on reading the Gettysburg Address. She had read it before, obviously, but having followed the fortunes of the armies, and having seen where so many brave young men lay down their lives, the words gained tremendous added power and significance. Thank you for all your advice over the last few months, and thank you America.
Keith

 

[Robtweb1]

Glad you had a good experience. Next trip come to the western theater and visit Shiloh, Chickamauga/Lookout Mountain, and the Atlanta Campaign sites.

 

[krh1956]

Robtweb1, sounds like a plan!